• Venatori Problems

    Venatori Problems

    I was out the door before I regretted doing that. I stopped and was about to turn around when a pair of crossed swords blocked my view. I smirked and sighed, “I’ll be up there in a bit. I haven’t been here long.”

    The man on the right was large. He could probably break me in half without blinking an eye. “You need to come with us, Mr. Sétanta, Ms. Snow is looking forward to meeting the infamous Mr. Sétanta.”

    I sighed. “Fine.” I didn’t fight them, there was no point. I was on their territory without permission. I thought Dorian had cleared the path but I guess I was wrong. I followed tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb through the streets of Vegas. At least they had wait until I was alone to abduct me. That was nice of them. I had heard of Scarlet Snow, she ran Vegas like Dae’lin and Gary did New York City. There were many locations like that around the world. Technically Michaela fell under Scarlet’s regime, even though the HQ was officially in Boulder where Michaela was stationed, but Scarlet Snow was too big too powerful to stay in the middle of east bumblefuck and rule the Venatori with her iron fist.

    I had never expected to meet her though. I guess I was gonna get that wish regardless of whether or not I wanted it. She was a scary sob if the rumors were true. We walked into one of the fancy casinos and headed off to the side to the executive elevators. The high rollers and such and we went all the way to the top floor. Ms. Snow was rich and famous and she paraded the exotic on stage of her hotel and casino. She didn’t have real magic or dragons in use that would be a gross breach of The Clandestine Providence but she skirted the edge of reality with her shows. There was a lot of things that could go wrong here, and there were people who specifically watched those who were outliers.

    And I was one of those outliers and I was watched just as closely though for completely different reasons – obviously.

    We approached the elevator and I stopped and the guy following me ran into me. “Uh, can we take the stairs.” I looked at the hotel elevator that was just as bad as the one in the AU building with its plate glass walls.

    The guy behind me shoved me towards the elevator. “Let’s get going. You don’t want to keep Ms. Slow waiting.”

    “I bet I can beat you up to the stairs.” I challenged him.

    He shoved me again and I sighed. “Fine.” I growled.

    I stepped inside the plate glass death trap and pressed myself up against the back of the elevator and closed my eyes as I tried to calm my breathing. I hated elevators. I wished Alex was here. And then I remembered seeing him and then his friend, Benji. Benji said they were just friends but I was starting to doubt it. Alex looked like he was enjoying his company and they were having dinner together.

    The elevator stopped and I rushed out before the goons. I sighed as I waited for them to come out of the elevator. They glared at me like I was some sort of aberration. And I guess I was. I was a weirdo here and I was okay with that. The stepped in front of me again and I followed them into a lavious room that was more home than it was office. Some Venatori were pretentious.

    Scarlet was sitting on a plush red couch lined with gold filigree and drinking a dark red wine probably from a crystal fluted glass more expensive than my entire dinnerware set. She was wearing a black dress in four inch stiletto heels in patent leather. Dorian would know the brand I’m sure. Her blond hair was short and gelled back, her lips were painted red and her lashes were long and thick and completely fake.

    Her legs were up on the couch like she was an enticing treat. I smirked as I was lead to a seat and motioned by her men to sit. “Mr. Sétanta, a pleasure.”

    “Scarlet Snow.” I said as I sat down. “I don’t know if it’s a pleasure or not. Though I like your place.” I said looking around. I made sure to meet her eyes and ignore the rest of it. She was a beautiful woman if a bit older than my typical fuck. But I wasn’t here looking for that. I was called in for whatever purpose they thought was important enough to distract me from my adventures. “I though Dorian Vega or Dae’lin Rivera cleared my passage before I landed.”

    She gave me a flowery smile that spread her lips thin against her teeth. “Ms. Rivera did, but I still wanted to see the boy who is friends with the monsters.”

    I grinned and bowed with a great flourish from my seat, “And here I am in all my glory.”

    She stood up and looked at me like I was prey. “And look at that glory.” She sashayed her way towards me, her hips moving as she walked but I let my eyes stay with hers instead of looking at the way she moved. “Most men would leer.”

    I looked up at her, “Most men aren’t attracted to men.”

    “I heard that about you.” She said sitting down on the edge of my chair and ran her fingers up my arm. I smirked, “I’m here to see about a boy, that’s all.”

    “So I was told, but I have use of you.” Her fingers trailed up my arm still and I had to think about other things. She knew exactly what she was doing to entice a man. And I was no different.

    I looked into her dark green eyes, “I’m expendable.”

    She shook her head then smiled, “Well, yes, but there’s more to it than that. Abraham Morgan.”

    “The Prince of Vegas.” I said with confidence. “You want me to go up against a prince?”

    She smiled. “You have one Prince already in your pocket, two heads of packs, you are friends with the money makers for the CCB.”

    “I wouldn’t call Desmond and Marshall friends.” I interrupted.

    “But you call them by their first name.” She laughed with such seduction I was almost convinced she wanted me.

    I shrugged and kept my eyes on her. “I get around what can I say.”

    She smirked, “I want you to get around for me, Nox.” Her hand trailed up to my cheek and along my jawline. I wanted to jerk away but this was a woman would could break me in a heart beat and I preferred to survive long enough to at least kiss Alex one more time.

    “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

  • Benji

    Benji

    When we were outside and several blocks away from the strip Benji opened a door to a building in the side of some diner. It smelled like the kitchen was nearby cooking some kind of Asian food. “Korean” He said without me having to ask.

    “You know that’s as weird as when he does that I said.

    Benji shook his head. “Sorry. I forget that you weren’t asking out loud.”

    I shrugged, “I’m used to it.”

    Benji lead me down a narrow hallway into a smaller room with a rod-iron bed frame and a plain blue mattress with a desk and a chair the only other furniture. He offered me the bed and pulled around the chair to face it. “This is a safe place to speak. Vampires don’t come into this part of town.”

    “Vampires? You know about vampires?” I asked in shock that he would one know but more importantly he’d say it so casually.

    He gave me a slow cautious nod before he added “Only recently. Well I never gave it much thought before, but yeah. We know vamps can do what we do. It’s why we stay away from them. But Alex is working a job around vamps and they can’t know his name, or that he’s friends with me. So no Alex anything. You don’t know me either.”

    “Another reason I should just go.” I said but I didn’t get up. Vampires, friends I had never heard about, why I wasn’t supposed to know these things – all valid reasons to stay I told myself.

    Benji chuckled. “Alex and I met after his mother died. We were working the same crowd and ran into each other in the stupidest ways – telepathically listening to each other and holding a conversation we didn’t mean to have from across the room.”

    “Alex doesn’t do anything by accident.” I said.

    “That’s true, but I like I said, we met each other by accident. Working the same crowd in my game and we decided to team up.”

    “And you’ve never slept with him?” I asked.

    Benji smirked, “He’d probably have liked that if I liked boys.”

    I licked my lips and tried not to say anything. “I can read your thoughts you might as well say it.”

    I shrugged, “Why do I have to say it if you can read my thoughts.” And I let my thoughts wander to all the best parts of Alex and how he might fit with Benji. It wasn’t exactly a fantasy I’d entertain more than once, but it had the desired affect on Benji. He was red even through that dark olive skin of his. I smiled.

    “You two are perfect for each other.”

    “Tell him that,” I growled.

    “I have, actually. He refuses to read your texts. I will admit that is one damn cute kid you got there.”

    “Not mine yet, but soon,” I said.

    “And the little girl?”

    I looked at him a little confused. Benji nodded, “Your friend posted a picture on Instagram with you and her daughter.”

    “That would be Mia. And my sweetheart Naya.”

    “She’s cute too.” Benji said.

    I nodded, “She is. Best thing that happened to Mia was being a mother.”

    “Alex is not himself right now. He’s going crazy over you and he’s trying to forget you.”

    “All the more reason for me to leave, Benji.” This time I did stand up.

    “Nox, come on. You flew all this way out here. You don’t even want to tell him off yourself. Don’t be a dick like Alex. You’re here. If it’s over at least end it right.” He smirked, “But I think if the two of you get in the same room you’ll work it out.”

    “All we do is fight.”

    Benji laughed, “That’s all Alex ever does; fight – or run away. Looks like he’s doing both now at the same time now.” He looked at me and frowned. “Why did you come here?”

    “I was worried about him. He wasn’t replying to anything. He wasn’t at his apartment – either of them. He wasn’t even telling me to leave him the fuck alone so I was being oblivious to the fact that he wasn’t answering, and I was busy so I didn’t have time to notice.”

    “We have dinner tonight. Me and him in his room. Let me take you there, you can shower, change and then you and he can sit down and talk.”

    “I have nothing to change into, this is what I have,” I said. “I’m going to catch the next flight out. He obviously doesn’t want me.”

    “No.” Benji stood up and got in my face. “You will not go anywhere. I can make you stay.”

    I sighed, “That’s exactly how this fight started, Alex nudging me into doing something that I knew I shouldn’t do to keep my sanity.” I stepped away from him. “You touch me and you’ll find yourself on the floor in a heartbeat.”

    Benji sighed as he backed away. “Alright. I won’t do that. But talk to him.”

    “I’ll think about it,” I said. “What time is dinner?”

    “We are doing it at 6 local time. That’s in three hours.”

    I nodded. “Alright. Plan your usual. I’ll decide if I want to be there.” I didn’t wait for a confirmation. I just left Benji the same way I came in.

  • Jimmy

    Jimmy

    My thoughts drifted to Alex the whole flight. I was hard and wanton by the time we landed and the woman next to me hurried off the plane as quickly as she could. As much as I wanted off the plane, I decided to wait until everyone cleared out. It was better for me. Even though the plane was getting claustrophobic and I was having a hard time breathing.

    One of the male attendants was making sure no one left anything on the plane or sleeping still in their seats when I stood up to get out of the plane. He looked down at me and chuckled, “I was wondering why she glared at you so.”

    “Dreams.” I smirked, “What can I say they were sexy.”

    “I hope he’s worth it.” He said with a smile, “If not I’ll be in town until the morning.”

    I looked at his nameplate, “Alejandro.” I smiled, “Thanks, but I think if he throws me out I’ll be leaving tonight.”

    Alejandro laughed, “Offer still stands.” He gave me the once over and I gave him a parting smile as I headed out the door. I could feel the other man’s eyes on my back and knew I could hear him whispering to the other flight attendant, “My he’s yummy.”

    They giggled and I pretended I hadn’t heard them as I headed out of the terminal. The heat was dry and I felt warm in my hoodie, but I didn’t take it off even after I’d stepped outside into the evening sun. It was a five hour flight, but my phone told me it was only three hours later. Time zones… I sighed as I texted Sage.

    N: I’ve landed. Hotel and room?

    Sage texted me back immediately with the Bellagio hotel and a room number. He also texted me a name it was under – James Hutton.

    I wondered how many alias’ Alex had. And I wondered what sort of business he actually did. Not that it mattered really, but aliases implied illegal activity. Last thing Alex needed was me meddling in some plot of his. I didn’t believe Janice was a friend. And I didn’t think Alex floated in her circles, but I could be wrong. So totally and utterly wrong, but I knew Alex. Even when I didn’t know know him, I knew him. I’d been in love with a dream since I was 13. He was the one who gave me the courage to kiss Dylan. He was the one, he’d always been that. But he’d been a dream. And one I didn’t remember.

    A cab to the hotel was easy to come by. I felt out of place in this City, though I looked no different than any of the others, but it was still that strange feeling like I didn’t belong.

    I could wait in the lobby for Alex. I could ask at the front desk. I could go up and wait outside his room. But instead I went into the bar. It was busy for the time of day. But this was Vegas and there were a lot of vacationers here too, a lot like New York. Two men were at the bar, both about six foot, one had the tips of his hair dyed blond and the other was a bleach blonde. I sat down three seats from them and tried not to listen to their conversation.

    “So what did you overhear Toto?” I recognized that voice and looked just in time to see the blonde’s hand raking down the cheek of the blonde tips. Obviously not his name, a nickname. Alex liked nicknames. Alex, the blond who’d spoken earlier looked at his watch and sighed, “I have to meet Abraham now. I’ll see you later.” He winked and headed for the door without even glancing in my direction.

    I wondered if Alex heard my thoughts, fuck I wondered if he even noticed me at all sitting here staring at him and his fucking blonde hair. I watched him him leave dressed in a suit and tie that looked very expensive. I shouldn’t have come here.

    “Sure you should have.” Tips said sitting down next to me. “He’s in denial, if he didn’t hear you it’s because he’s trying so hard to forget you.”

    “What?” I said turning to look at him. Tips waved his hand and an Irish Red appeared in front of me from the bartenders hands.

    “Your drink of choice?”

    I took it and nodded. He was reading my mind that was painfully obvious.

    “You are a smart man as well as hot, no wonder he’s trying to forget you.” He laughed. “Too much work.”

    I was about to ask who the fuck he was, but he spoke before I even got the first sound out. “I’m Benji. I’m sure Jimmy has never mentioned me before. Jimmy has an appointment why don’t I entertain you for a little while. Tell you all about Jimmy and me and what we got into.”

    “I was just leaving.” I said.

    “You came all this way and now you want to leave.”

    “He obviously has moved on.” I said looking Benji up and down. He was perfectly dressed in his own tailored suit, his hair was perfect, he was a pretty boy. Alex didn’t need me. A hand on my elbow pulled me from my seat and I was following after Benji.

    “Come on. Let me take you someplace we can talk.”

    I stopped, dug in my heels and stopped our forward momentum and Benji yanked at my elbow until he realized I wasn’t moving. “I don’t know you.” I said angrily.

    “I know you, Nox fucking Sétanta aught to be your full name.”

    I smirked as I heard Alex saying that to Benji. Benji chuckled, “Fuck he was right about you. Come on let me explain, just someplace else.”

    I sighed and nodded. With my ascent Benji dragged me out of the hotel and we walked.

  • Panic Attack

    Panic Attack

    I didn’t have time to stop by the apartment and grab anything. Sage sent me a text.

    S: Good luck, babe. I hope you rip him a new one.

    I really didn’t know why they kept thinking I was going to be mad at him. I just wanted to know for real. What this was. I thought he wanted more. I’d been torturing myself looking for missing dreams and he left. Why was I even going. And flying? What the fuck.

    But even my dreary thoughts didn’t turn me from hailing a cab. It didn’t stop me from standing in line at the front desk checking my non-existent bags. I walked through security and to my terminal. It didn’t stop me from sitting down and closing my eyes to rest while I waited. The last flight I took I met Henry, and I dreamt of Alex before I knew his name. I don’t know how I remembered that but I do now. Like sitting here reminded me of that dream.

    I could feel my heart racing and my skin getting slick with sweat. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long before my seats were called. I hated the back of the plane but you take what you can get on short notice. Boarding was easy and unfortunately I had a window seat. Fuck! Just what I needed.

    I pulled the window shade down, buckled up and pressed my back into the back of the chair gripped the arms and closed my eyes. I was so in the middle of a panic attack. I was grateful that I had a pair of earbuds on me at all times at least when the plane got in the air I could listen to my music. Or music of some sort.

    I should nap, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest as the gray haired woman and a young child sat down next to me. The kid couldn’t be more than three and I was going to go crazy if the kid whined the whole time. Fuck!

    The woman looked at me, “You okay honey?”

    I nodded, “I don’t like flying.”

    She patted my hand. “It’s safer than driving.”

    I laughed. “I don’t like driving.”

    She paled a little at my sarcasm. I knew logically I’d be fine. But my childhood trauma had only made this worse. My fear of heights was only enhanced by sitting by the window. My heart pounded in my chest. It took forever for the plane to load and the airline attendants to do their thing as we taxied down the strip to get ready for our flight.

    The child next to me yammered on. I was grateful his grandmother was sitting between us but I couldn’t wait for my music to be the only sound I heard. Fuck!

    We started moving faster and tilting up and I squished my eyes closed as I tried to keep my breathing even. The kid next to me screamed as his ears built up pressure and he didn’t know how to react. My body tensed and I had a death grip on the arm rests. The woman next to me didn’t know what to do, between me and the screaming child.

    The child eventually stopped as his ears equalized and I relaxed when the ding that signaled we could use our electronics was sounded. I quickly pulled my earbuds out of my pocket and plugged it in and set the music to as loud as it would go. I didn’t care what I listened to as long as I could drown in it and feel nothing else.

    I listened to something loud and heavy. It was not a usual playlist – more like one I played when I needed to focus on something other than my life. Or the moment. It was the music I listened to. Sage would have been proud. Only dancing you could do on this playlist was in a mosh pit.

    The lady next to me tapped my hand and I turned to look at her pulling out an ear bud. “Can you turn that down?”

    “No.” I said then stuck it back in my ear, pulled my hood up over my head and pretended I didn’t exist in this world. And I didn’t. I drifted into my subconscious reliving all the memories of Alex. It wasn’t sleep I sought, it was the comfort of my blue-eyed boy who had gotten me through my suicidal days. The fear was raging through my blood again. I found him in the memories. Found him where I was in a corner floating on nepenthe – the only drug that actually worked on my depression for short periods of time but it was highly illegal and selling it to me being half human carried a steep penalty. It drove full grown human’s mad.

    Alex knelt in front of me and frowned, “You are always like this around my birthday. You should be happy, it was the month I was born.”

    It elicited a smile from my lips but I confessed, “I didn’t know if you were coming.”

    Alex shrugged and pressed a kiss to my lips. My fingers snaked around his neck and into his hair. He grabbed my hands and pinned them to the wall above my head with a smile. “I don’t trust you like this not to hurt me. No touching.”

    “I’d never hurt you.” I said in the dream and in the memory I agreed with him out loud. I would never hurt Alex, not on purpose and I tried hard as hell never to do it on accident. But I knew I would do that. Not mean to hurt him, physically or emotionally, it was bound to happen.

    Alex just chuckled as he pinned my hands above my head and we shifted to a bed in the blink of an eye. Alex was above me kissing, biting and sucking at my neck leaving a large purple mark on my neck. I felt the pull of emotion of the dream. Felt his lips on me. I wanted nothing more than to give Alex everything he wanted, and even my young self gave him what he wanted. Alex bitched about my submission but he loved it as long as it never got in the way of what he wanted.

    I sighed and opened my eyes. I shifted uncomfortably and the woman next to me just glared at me. Her eyes glanced down to my pants and I knew fully well why, but I didn’t care as she stared at my tightening jeans. She couldn’t leave the seat either. She shook her head and mumbled, “Pervert!” And I couldn’t help but chuckle. Alex would have provoked me further if he’d known. And I would have tried to remain quiet. If only he were here…

  • Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays

    You got your daily dose of Darwynn’s Law this morning. Everything is schedule up through the new year so I won’t miss a day cause AJ is working on the new house.

    BUT, I’m in a giving mood.

    If you’ve read Once Upon a Dream. You probably already know that Angel and Zane were originally written as me and Alex. AJ did a quick name replacement so there was no confusion.

    So what I’m about to share is Angel and Zane’s first Christmas together as originally written – no name changes.

    It’s gonna be longer than a usual post and hopefully you can figure out the PoV without me telling you. If not let me know and I’ll add it in for future issues.

    Christmas was always a family thing for us. I always had my family around me, my fathers and if we were lucky we’d have foreign guests. But this Christmas was different I had Alex with me and there were now two families to spend the holidays with. My parents were more than happy to have breakfast on Christmas Eve, letting us go to Alex’s grandmother’s for dinner, and let us spend our first Christmas alone in our home.

    Not only was it our first Christmas together it was our first holiday season as a married couple, though no one really knew that yet. We were planning an April wedding for everyone else to attend, they only thought we were engaged.

    Alex was half asleep when we walked into my parents apartment. We were extremely early but my dad sitting on the bar stool drinking a cup of coffee. Alex flopped down on the couch and fell over. “I’m going to take a nap. Your son woke me up too early.” He kicked his shoes off and curled up on my parents leather couch. I threw the throw blanket over him and kissed his forehead before making my way into the kitchen.

    My dad was chuckling as I kissed him on the cheek too. “Morning Babbo. He’s being dramatic.”

    “I do hope you woke him up properly.”

    I grinned at my father. “I did. He wasn’t complaining then.”

    “I can hear you you know.” Alex called from the couch groggily.

    “I know.” I said.

    My dad laughed. “If your father heard us…”

    I grinned. “He’d have turned tail and run.”

    “Your father is not a prude as much as he’d you to think he is.”

    “Babbo, as much as I’m comfortable talking about sex with you, I do not like to think about you and Dad having sex. Or what Dad really likes to do. I’ve had enough listening to you over the years to know you guys have a healthy sex life.”

    My father was standing in the door to the hall way looking back at me. “As if you and Alex don’t.”

    I grinned. “We do that’s what we were talking about.”

    My father covered his ears and then hummed as he walked into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. He called out from behind the island where I was prepping food. “Alex would you like a cup of coffee?”

    He groaned. I chuckled. “He’ll take a nap for a few minutes and then he’d love coffee.”

    I watched as my father carried two cups of coffee with cream and sugar out to the living room in his silk robe and pjs wearing a pair or fuzzy bunny slippers and a Santa hat on his head. He sat down in his arm chair since Alex was in his usual spot and pulled the paper to him and started his morning tradition.

    Alex sat up and took the mug of coffee from the coffee table. “I’m up. At the god crack of dawn. How the fuck did you two live with him for so long?” Alex joked.

    Dad laughed. “After he learned to cook we didn’t have to worry about it any more. He no longer woke us up with his needs. He just made breakfast, pulled out his latest book or started drawing in his notebook before we got up. He was more difficult when he could make bacon and coffee and then we were up long before we were used to. Well before I was. Marco is an early bird too.”

    My father and Alex chatted over the paper. Alex actually reading some of the pages – mostly the business section. My father read the whole thing, one of those things his father did and his father and so on. I broke that tradition.

    Me and Babbo made breakfast. It wasn’t as large as Christmas could be, but eggs, and bacon and Christmas pancakes which my dad thought was amusing that I was willingly making carbs for breakfast. They were red or green and had sprinkles. I also made my spinach and sun dried tomato fritatta with a white cheddar sauce. Baboo was making something too but he wasn’t telling me. He said it was for their dinner which I wasn’t coming to so he wasn’t sharing. I stuck my tongue out at him and he repeated the gesture back.

    Alex asked, “They do that often?”

    Dad looked up from his paper and looked over at us. “The childish behavior?”

    Alex nodded, “Sticking their tongues out, and yeah general childish behavior?”

    “Yes. Nox was a troubled child, and sometimes being childish with him was the only way to connect. Marco was always so much more at ease getting that low.”

    “You did fine Dad.”

    “You connected with Marco.”

    I laughed. “Dad, who did I go to when the boys at school called me names? Who taught me how to fight?”

    “Stanley taught you to fight.”

    “But you took me to Stan.” I said.

    He sighed. “I was only watching out for your. Years of boys being bigger than you and you were already showing signs.”

    I laughed. “It wasn’t your fault you know.”

    Dad nodded and went back to his paper. “I know. I’m just glad you are happy.”

    “Very.” I said as I set the last dish on the table. “Breakfast is on.” I poured everyone a mimosa and we ate Christmas Eve breakfast with my parents, just the four of us.

    After which we exchanged presents. Dad and Babbo got Alex a signed jersey from the goalie of the Rangers. Dad raved about meeting him and that he saw the man sign it. He hadn’t worn the jersey the’d bought it online from the NHL official website. It was framed and set in glass.

    My parents got me a custom knife set with the logo of my new restaurant etched into the base of the knife. Babbo said he had something else and when he returned from the room with a white apron and the same logo he flung it over my head. “I debated whether or not to let you use it for breakfast.”

    Alex laughed, “He probably won’t use it at all it’s white.”

    My dad nodded. “I have several more for you two, but I will give them to you for your opening. They match your decor. This one is for when you are on display. When they ask for the chef, or you are out cooking in public arenas.”

    We spent the morning and into the afternoon at my parents house before we went back to our place so Alex could take a shower. I had woken him up early and he refused to get up until we had to be out the door.

    I got home from Nox’s parent’s apartment with our loot. His parents were more than impressed with the Spa package we’d gotten for them. Nox said his father needed the break from everyday work and his dad would love pampering his father. And even though Dorian’s look was more like you can’t afford this I easily countered him and told him we’d done the same for my parents. And we had, it was a good idea and my parents needed to get out too and get some down time. They could take it whenever they wanted.

    My new jersey went into the studio where I’d hang it up on the wall at some point, right now it just rested against the wall. Nox’s went into the kitchen for now, but I’d make sure they made it to his restaurante.

    I needed a shower. I felt the dirt from the shift before still on my skin. I was dead tired when I got home. I’d worked the bar, and security not at the same time but it was a long night. And it was my fault I’d opted to stay in bed. Nox prompted me three or four times to get up and moving. I ignored him until he was pulling me out of bed to get dressed. But my pretty boy knew exactly how to get me up and he didn’t hesitate to drop to his knees to make it happen either. It was a good wake up, even if we did have to rush to his parents house afterwards.

    I’d have liked to shower with him, but he was already busy in the kitchen preparing an unneeded dish for my family dinner. He’d met my Granny alone, and he’d told her all about his curried pumpkin apple soup he had been working on in the fall. Nox being the charming boyfriend that he is made a batch for my grandmother, and took it to her by himself. They chatted for well over three hours. Needless to say, my grandmother loves my boyfriend. She’s even willing to overlook the fact that he’s my boyfriend. Something I wasn’t entirely sure would happen at all. She was as traditional as my parents had raised me. But Nox was Nox and he either charmed you or made you hate him.

    Sometimes I wished more people hated him. I was the jealous boyfriend but I was ecstatic my Granny liked him. But would the rest of the family – that was the question. Every lawyer in the room was going to have something to say.

    My shower was lonely save for the surprise my lover left me in the shower. There were two reasons I went to a salon verses a barber to get my hair cut. The first being I loved to get my hair washed before they cut it, and the second was I loved their shampoo. I could buy it but I never really did, it was too expensive just to waste away down the drain. But my boyfriend the thoughtful and loving creature bought me a bottle.

    I didn’t deserve him. And if he heard me say it he’d laugh and say the same thing in return. Neither of us quite believing we had each other. Not sure how he put up with me. But he did. And he was mine forever.

    I came out of our shared bedroom dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater over top a button down shirt. I’d be shedding down to the button down more than likely but it was sweater weather and if it didn’t get any colder I’d be good without a jacket to keep up with. Nox on the other hand, he’d probably wear three or four layers just so no one would touch his back. He went in just a t-shirt at his parents house, and mine too which had surprised me when he had shucked his leather when we’d arrived there on Thanksgiving. Nox had cooked our entire meal. His parents came over too and Marco and Nox entertained us with dish after dish. I don’t think I’d eaten so much on Thanksgiving before and didn’t have turkey and stuffing at all.

    The apartment smelled like fall – the pumpkin and apple soup was off the charts. And I don’t like pumpkin.

    “I’m ready when you are.” I said as I took the glass of wine Nox offered me. Socially Nox was a beer guy. But at home with food he had wine. There was wine with every meal except breakfast and if he was trying to impress there was mimosas. Though he was also found of a hot white russian and irish coffee. He didn’t do a lot of hard liquor himself but my bar in the house was fully stocked at all times. A proper host. Nox ran a better inventory of the house bar than I did at work. And I was meticulous.

    Nox handed me a small bowl of hot soup and I scarfed it down. It would be another few hours before we at at Granny’s. We had to be there before hand for socialization and stuff. And Nox would probably spend 99% of that time in the kitchen. His favorite place to be.

    He watched me eat. I raised an eyebrow and he he grinned at me. “I take it you like it.”

    “Have I ever not liked something you’ve made me?”

    “There was that one time…”

    Nox started to tell the story about the single time I’d spit out food. But it wasn’t that it wasn’t because I didn’t like it. I was allergic to honey. Bee’s in general but honey was one of those things that sent me to the hospital. There is no longer any honey in any recipe he ever plans on making. He used it in general instead of sugar, except when making my pancakes so it had never come up before.

    I kissed him to shut him up and he gladly let me kiss those lips of his. He tasted like strawberries which meant he was applying generous amounts of lip balm. One of those quirks I was coming to know very well. But he always tasted good not that before he didn’t mind you. Just now more fruity. Which my thought make me smirk and he asked, “Are you laughing at me?”

    I shook my head. “No. I just said you were fruity.” I licked his lips to exaggerate the point, “Strawberry.”

    He laughed and stuck his tongue out at me before dislodging himself from my arms to pack up his things. “I need to get dressed.”

    “I could help you with that.”

    Nox chuckled. “Lover, you won’t help me put clothes on, you’ll want to take everything off, and we have to go socialize. So I’ll let you help after we get this family thing done.” He walked backwards into the bedroom closed the door with a soft snick and turned the latch. He was locking me out of the bedroom. Now I really wanted in. I could go get the key or use a knife or something to pry the door open. But I sighed and tapped my foot impatiently.

    He was taking too long…

    Cooking for Alex’s family calmed my anxiety. I wasn’t nervous to meet them. It was the first large family gathering I’d ever been to. His Granny loved me I wasn’t worried about anyone else. His parents liked me well enough and Alex was the only one who mattered. He’d married me. Funny thing though, Mrs. Kennedy, figured out within an hour of my visit with her that Alex and I had gotten married. I hadn’t been wearing my ring in the open, it was discretely tucked into my shirt with a long chain so it didn’t accidentally fall out. Alex kept his on his key chain. I didn’t slip or even hint at it. I was pretty sure I hadn’t even given it away without knowing. She told me. “I’m so glad the two of you decided to give us a big wedding too.”

    I blinked my surprise at her. And she laughed. “I’m not so old I can’t figure things out my favorite grandson got hitched to his boyfriend.”

    I shrugged but didn’t confirm nor deny it. “It’s not anything you or Alex did. Alex got a new tattoo, you have his name inked on your skin. You’re wearing a chain and keep fiddling with it like you haven’t been wearing it long.” She laughed. “And you have this glow about you, and when Alex is around there is this look the two of you share.”

    So that was a grand total of three other people who knew Alex and I had gotten married. The rest of the world didn’t know. Max and Ant hadn’t spoken to anyone about it. Not even Drew or Mandy. I gave them some credit for it too. It was a hard secret to keep.

    I hadn’t told Alex she knew yet. I should probably tell him I thought as I got dressed in our room. I had locked the door because I was wearing Christmas boxers for Alex to unwrap later. I changed my shirt and wore one of Alex’s t-shirts from his drawer. I wore my black button down with black jeans and I threw on a Christmas tie – it had Rudolf and his nose flashed. I didn’t choke myself with it I wore it loose around my neck and the top few buttons were undone with the t-shirt collar showing underneath giving me a hit of red underneath.

    My hands were sweaty and I was anxious. This was going to be a rough experience. I unlocked the door and pulled the door open a crack to let Alex in if he wanted to enter. Then I went to the bathroom to put on some Christmas cheer. The eyeliner I’d chosen was tinted green to go with the Christmas dyed tips I’d done earlier. If I were going out to a club on Christmas Eve then I might throw in some glitter, but I didn’t want to shed glitter all over my clothes and Alex and Granny’s house so I didn’t. Glitter was as bad as sand.

    Alex came into the bathroom and leaned against the doorframe. “I take it you are done hiding whatever it is you are hiding?”

    I grinned at him. “You can find what I’m hiding after we get back.”

    That only made my rockstar more than happy to trap me against the sink, his front pressing into my back and he bit my neck. I groaned at the pain and tilted my head so he could get better access. When I did, Alex sucked softly then licked the mark he’d left before he pressed his lips to it and soothed it further. His mark was more for my benefit than to show his possession of me. He kissed his favorite spot on my neck which now bore his name and pulled away. I was decidedly colder now that he was gone but it was probably for the best. “You going to your leather jacket?”

    “Do I need it?” I asked.

    “It’s not that cold.” Alex said shaking his head with a concerned look.

    “I’ll be alright.” I said as I walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen to grab the soup.

    Alex was strolling from our closet and put his leather jacket on over my shoulders and took the soup. “Wear mine then.”

    I smiled at him. “I don’t think anyone will set me off.”

    Alex nodded. “Zack might, or Sara might hug you. Little bit might do it without thinking. And no telling what the Aunts and Uncles will do.”

    I nodded. “Okay.” I pulled his coat over my arms and pulled the collar up to my nose and got the perfect combination of Alex and leather smell. I did love his leather jacket.

    Alex laughed, “I’d almost think you liked my jacket better than me.”

    I shook my head. “Never lover. Without you this jacket would just be like any other.” Normally we’d walk, but Alex’s Granny lived in Queens, so we took one of the family Town Cars – drivers and everything all part of the Kennedy name. I found it a little odd, but hey neither of us had to drive so that was good. I had no problem taking the train but that far Alex didn’t really want to. So we rode in comfort.

    The car had smelled too good the whole way to Granny’s house. I was grateful Nox had given me a bowl to eat before we left. I wondered if that had been his plan, or if he was just letting me be his guinea pig. I didn’t care either way I had food and my stomach wasn’t rumbling.

    We pulled up to Granny’s house in Queens and Nox waited for me on the curb. And then he followed me as I opened the gate and the building door before we went inside to the lobby to Gran’s building. It was a duplex and the lobby was just a narrow walkway with doors and a mailboxes inside.

    I knocked on the door and Nox waited behind me. I glanced at him and he was chewing his bottom lip. It was a nervous habit, or when he was being shy or coy. I knew this was a big deal for him. But he had nothing to worry about. Gran already loved him. I wrapped my arm around Nox’s waist and we waited by the door.

    Zack answered with a grin. “Alex! So nice of you to come.” He looked over at Nox and held out his hand to him. When Nox didn’t immediately take it Zack looked down at the pot of soup he was carrying with both hands. “Oh, shit. Sorry. Let me take that.”

    Nox stammered, “It’s..” Zack grabbed the pot from the bottom and yelped. “It’s hot.” Nox said with a grin. “I got it.”

    “Zack, Nox. Nox my cousin Zack.”

    Nox grinned at Zack, “A pleasure.”

    Zack let us in and Sara and her kid were sitting on the couch sawing some heavy logs. “Rough night here?” I asked.

    Zack laughed. “They went sledding.”

    Nox hadn’t lingered with me in the living room while Zack explained he was in the kitchen. Zack leaned in, “He’s cute. Think he over did the make up though.”

    I laughed. “You really haven’t seen him try. That’s a little more subtle than usual. Just greener.”

    “The hair?”

    “Always colored. He’s been sporting Christmas colors for about two weeks. I expect we’ll see something else after Christmas.”

    “Doesn’t bother you?”

    I leaned against the back of the couch. “Not even once. He isn’t shy about who he is.”

    “And who is he?” Sara asked from her slumbering position below us.

    I looked down over the front of the couch and she grinned up at me as she sat up and turned around on the couch to listen to our conversation. I sighed. “He’s mine.” I said simply with a smirk.

    “Oh come on Alex.” Sara goaded me.

    “He’s going to be the next three star chef in New York City.”

    “That doesn’t answer the question.” Zack laughed.

    “It does.” I said, “Just wait till you taste his food.”

    “Zack is right, though Alex, he’s cute.”

    I smirked at my cousin. “I know. I licked it, it’s mine.” I said as I walked into the kitchen and wrapped my arms around my second favorite person in the world. “Hey Gran. How you doing?”

    “I’m doing better now that your man is here to help. Though I have a mind just to leave it all to him.” Nox’s eyes light up at the thought of cooking for my family.

    I laughed. “He would you know.”

    Gran looked at Nox and he smiled. “I can handle the rest. You’ve got everything started and I can wrap it all up. Go be with your family for a change instead of slaving over the hot stove. I got this.”

    Gran looked at me, then back at Nox. “Are you both sure?”

    “Gran. Nox loves a kitchen, any kitchen he’ll be happier on that side of your island than this side.”

    I nodded to Nox with a smile and I ushered Gran out into the living room and to her favorite chair. “Rest your feet Gran. Let us do the cooking.”

    “Us?” She said.

    I laughed. “When I say us, I mean Nox and I’ll sit by sipping wine and watching him cook.”

    She grinned at me. “I think I’d like to watch myself.” She winked at me and stood back up. “Zack be a good boy and fetch me my slippers.” And I watched as my Gran went back in the kitchen, heard the scrapping of the bar stool and she sat down. I heard a pop of wine and I knew Nox was pouring a glass of white wine for my Gran. I followed her in to see her sipping at the wine I did’t even know she had.

    “Gran you don’t keep wine in the house.”

    She laughed. “Nox sent over a few bottles this morning with explicit instructions on their use.”

    I looked at Nox. “My Christmas present to your family. I had Cino drop off a case on his way home yesterday.”

    “Cino lives in Queens?” I hadn’t known that.

    Nox nodded. “He did. His mother lives out here and he was coming home for the holidays, he did me a quick favor.”

    “What did you make him in return?” I asked.

    He smiled brightly at me as he stirred a pot of whatever was smelling up Gran’s kitchen. “I made the desert crepes you love so much, he said he was competent enough to put it all together on Christmas eve.”

    Gran asked, “What desert crepes?”

    Nox went into explaining my favorite new recipe. They were inspired by my favorite breakfast – pancakes and ice-cream. Except Nox used crepes, and rolled the crepe around a roll of ice-cream that was home-made – usually some berry type. And he drizzled it with a berry syrup and topped it with a little fresh whipped cream. I could eat it forever.

    I sat down next to her and we watched my fiancee do his thing.

    The kitchen smelled awesome when Gran cooked and with Nox in it it still smelled like Christmas to me, but I watched as he embellished on her dishes. Gran started to say something when he pulled a spice down from her cabinet and added it to the pot. He stirred and let it simmer a little while before he pulled a handful of clean spoons out of the drawer and scooped some out on one and handed it Gran. That was it. She smiled at him with a huge nod. “Perfect.” She said. I hadn’t asked but Nox had one ready for me by the time I went to ask where mine was.

    Gran’s gravy was great, but there was something better about it. More earthly. Nox explained, “A little sage.”

    My Aunt and Uncle showed up and soon the house was full. And Everyone was hanging out in the kitchen. No one hung out in the kitchen when Gran cooked, everyone sat in front of the television and watched what ever Christmas movie Hallmark was playing at that time. But I watched as Nox charmed my Aunt. He spun her around the kitchen before he deposited her back with her second husband. Everyone was sipping a glass of white wine. Nox had even gotten all the little kids their own wine glasses made of plastic and gave them white grape juice which he’d poured from a green glass bottle to make them all feel a little more grown up. Gran leaned over and whispered in my ear, “He’s the life of the party. it’s a good thing you put a ring on that finger or I might have to snap him up.”

    I laughed. “He’s just doing what he does best.” I didn’t mentioned he’d crash the moment we got home. But this was just as much a stress reliever as it was a stress inducer. The kitchen was his happy place. And I was getting fatter just thinking about all the stress cooking he was going to do at home tomorrow.

    Dinner came and went. The conversation was lively and Nox fit in with my family. They joked, he laughed but now that the cooking was over you could see the way he fell into me. At least I could. Cute and cuddly wasn’t me. But with Nox it was easy. No one said anything. There were “Alex you should have brought him around sooner,” comments in private. I was happy my family loved him. I was a little jealous watching them fawn over him. I was the black sheep. And bringing home a boy was never something I thought I’d do. And here I was spending Christmas with Nox and it was perfectly normal. If you’d told me last Christmas that the boy who I wanted to sleep with was going to meet my extended family I’d have laughed in your face. The reality of it all being I was married to that boy who a year ago I was fighting with.

    I wasn’t completely wrecked by the time Alex got us in our own home. We’d stayed later than everyone else opting to help Gran out with everything before we left. The kids all came away with a nice haul, the rest of us had gift cards. I was mildly surprised to have one myself.

    But after we got Gran’s house cleaned up we went home. I napped in the car, curled up in Alex’s leather jacket and against him in his arms. He chatted with the driver most of the way. Though I think my wandering hand might have distracted him a little when a bounce woke me up half way home.

    We didn’t make it much past the elevator before Alex pressed me against the wall inside one of the eleveators. It distracted me enough that I wasn’t in any panicked mode when we reached our floor. His hands had pulled my t-shirt from my jeans and his hands were caressing the scars on my back comforting and sensitising my skin with each touch.

    We didn’t kiss until we were in our apartment. The world was nothing but us when we shut the door. Clothes shed as we walked without breaking contact. It wasn’t rushed. “You might want to turn on some lights.” I whispered between kisses.

    Which made Alex pull back. “I don’t need lights.”

    I chuckled softly, “Well if the lights are off you’ll miss part of your present.”

    Alex flipped on the bedroom light as we walked in and looked at me in my disheveled state. His leather jacket was left on the floor between the front door and our room along with his sweater and my button down and t-shirt. Though the tie still hung blinking around my neck. “I have a present?”

    I winked, “You have to find it.” There was two or three depending on how you looked at it but I didn’t tell Alex that. I sighed. “And it’s not something you can have in the traditional sense.”

    Alex chuckled. He turned me around and I could tell he was looking at the tattoos. his fingers traced his favorites, and then he found the new one. “I thought we weren’t telling anyone.”

    “We aren’t. And I didn’t. Ant did it. It might be a little rough he’s not worked there in years.”

    Alex pulled me close and pressed his body to mine. “It’s perfect. He did a good job, the car is stunning. But someone is going to see it.”

    I turned around in his embrace, “Who’s going to be looking at my back other than you?”

    “I don’t know maybe your boyfriends?”

    I laughed. “I didn’t know I had more than you.” I pulled away from him and looked under the bed, “Where they hiding?” I grinned up at Alex who was rolling his eyes.

    “Is that all?” he asked.

    I shook my head. “No. You still have to unwrap the rest of your gift.”

    “You giving me yourself?”

    I shrugged. “Maybe.”

    Alex didn’t hesitate and tugged my jeans off without undoing the button. It was a little rough but was worth it when he stopped and stared at the Christmas boxers and I was still wearing the Rudolf tie. It’s little red nose still blinking over the rooftop covered in snow boxers I’d put on.

    Alex grabbed the tie and pulled me to him and pressed a hard long kiss to my lips. It was hot and wet and my hands were over his body, finishing the job that was mostly done on the walk to the bedroom. He was naked on top of me in my Christmas attire and I could feel his arousal between us.

    “So this is all mine?”

    “Always.” I said my voice low with desire.

    Alex pulled the tie over my head and pressed my hands above my head and kissed more as he held me prone. After he pulled away breathless he slipped the tie over my wrists and pulled it tight. He didn’t need to say anything as he smirked down at me.

    His lips found mine and then he moved down my ear and pulled the lobe in and bit softly. I bit my bottom lip to keep from making a sound. Alex whispered, “I want to hear you.” His voice hoarse with lust as he licked and nipped at my jawline to my neck and his name inked on my skin. He no longer left a hickey there, but he loved to bit and nip at it before leaving marks elsewhere on my neck. I was his – forever and always just like the tattoo across my heart said.

    Alex slipped down, his tongue traveling the lines of my stomach to my belly button and he swirled his tongue around making me squirm and moan. I wanted his hot tongue all over me. His fingers found their way into my waste band and Alex tugged them off and tossed them to the side. “Happy to see me pretty boy?” He said as he licked the length of my cock.

    “You have no idea.”

    He chuckled. “I think I have some idea.” He took my dick in his mouth and sucked hard and sloppily. His mouth was hot and wet. I bucked into his mouth and he groaned around me sending shivers all through my body.

    Alex placed his hands on my hips and pressed me into the mattress, “Don’t move, baby.” He said and I lost what little control I had the moment he pushed his lips over my cock. But Alex didn’t stop as I came in his mouth, he sucked and slide along me taking every last pleasure from me. I was still shaking from the pleasure when Alex came off with a soft pop kissing his way up to my lips and placing his hands at my shoulders on the bed. His hair fell in his face and I wanted to push it aside so I could see those beautiful blue eyes but I couldn’t. He pushed inside of me as I came down and I groaned. My entire body was over sensitized. I writhed under him. I’d been undone before, now I was gone.

    My rockstar moved slowly inside of me. His lips tender on mine and my cock pressed between our bodies. Alex rolled his hips and I saw stars and bit back the moan of pleasure as he bit my neck. I wanted to touch him, I needed to. I whimpered but Alex pressed down on me. He moved inside of me, kissed me hard. “Ah fuck!” I groaned as he hit my prostate again.

    “Was that a wish?” Alex whispered in my ear as he thrust harder and faster slamming into the same spot again and a again until I was near my climax again.

    The once precise movements were now erratic as Alex neared his own climax. He pressed inside of me once, twice and on the third thrust he was lost. His eyes closed and he pressed harder inside of me and his groan sent me over the edge and I splurt between us.

    We were spent. Alex collapsed on top of me and we didn’t move for several minutes. Clean up was necessary. Neither of us enjoyed peeling ourselves apart – particularly when one or both of us planned for another round later. Though I wasn’t sure I could handle another round so soon.

    It was too late to shower, but that was likely a morning adventure anyway. Alex and I crawled back into bed. Tomorrow was Christmas morning and our first one together.

  • Dinner with the Family

    Dinner with the Family

    Marco had us sitting in a corner away from everyone else and there were no menus brought to us only a glass of water and whatever else the boys wanted to drink. Kyle looked at Laker and frowned. I interrupted, “We know the chef. He’ll make us something special. Are you allergic to anything?” I asked.

    “Shell fish.”

    Rider laughed, “Us too. Anything else?”

    Kyle shook his head. “No, don’t think so. You all are allergic to shell fish?”

    “Mom was and we got it from her.” Laker said.

    “I guess that makes it easy then.”

    Rider shrugged, “We eat a lot of chicken while we are here in New York. I think the only time we get pasta is when we come here.”

    “That has to get boring” Kyle said as the waitress came by and set down a basket of bread with garlic flavored oil with other herbs and an antipasto dish that I loved.

    She smiled at me, “The chef asks if there are any new allergies.”

    I shook my head, “Same as usual. The boys want pasta though.”

    She giggled, “He said you’d say that. And you?”

    “He knows what I like.”

    She nodded, “I’ll tell him so, sir. I hope you have a great meal.”

    Rider laughed, “I’m sure we will.”

    Dinner went as well as to be expected. Laker and Rider went on and on about the Rockies. And Kyle listened politely. I got to listen to my brothers and their midwestern non-accented voices picking up the New York ticks. I hadn’t paid much mind to it before but there was a definite contrast to how Kyle and I spoke to my brothers and they were picking up the same lit to their voices even being for only a week or so.

    My phone chirped and I glanced at the message. “It’s Sage I’ll be back in a minute.”

    Rider laughed, “Don’t leave me with these two.”

    I gave him a wry smile and shrugged. “Sorry.” I was dialing Sage’s number as I headed outside to take the call. It wasn’t much quieter outside but at least I wouldn’t be disrupting someone else’s dinner.

    “You got a location?” I asked Sage when he picked up.

    “I do” e said. “He wasn’t hard to find. But you aren’t going to like it.”

    “Where is he?” I asked, “As long as he’s not dead I think I can deal with it.”

    Sage sighed. “He’s in Vegas.”

    “What?” I asked.

    “His phone is in Vegas. His secondary phone is in Vegas.”

    “How do you know he’s got two phones, Sage?” I asked. I wasn’t liking this at all.

    “I do work for him, and his ping came back the same ping as that phone location.”

    “You stalk him?” I asked.

    “I keep tabs on him. He knows I do.”

    “You keep tabs on everyone you work for. It’s part of what you do and why you do it.”

    Sage sighed, “So yeah, he’s in Vegas. I’ll get you room and location if you want specifics.”

    “I want specifics Sage,” I said then hung up. My head was reeling. He left. Without saying good-bye. What the fuck! I thought things had been decided we’d try. We’d make something work. I guessed I was wrong. Fuck!

    I stepped inside the dim restaurant and I was greeted with a gust of cold air that sent shivers down my spine. Alex had left. He’d been ignoring me. Was Ant right?

    When I got back to the table Rider and Laker were watching me carefully. “He’s dead?” Rider asked.

    I blinked at him. “Uh. No. He’s in Vegas.”

    Both of my brothers mouthed “oh” but didn’t say anything. Rider being the bolder of the two took my phone and started flipping through things. “You are going to Vegas right?” He looked at me as he started planning. “I’ll book the flight and get you going. You enjoy dinner.” He said as he took my phone and went down the hall. I imagine he was calling Dorian too. Or my father. I can’t imagine that he’d do it all by himself.

    Why was it that I let my brother do that for me. I could have managed, I told myself. Laker grabbed my hand and squeezed “Rider will take care of it Nox, relax. We got this, don’t stress over it. You can go yell at him in a few hours.”

    Kyle asked, “What’s going on?”

    Laker smiled at his crush and blushed a little, “It’s going to sound crazy if I tell you.”

    “Like you guys aren’t already crazy.”

    I grinned at him. “The guy I liked just up and left without saying anything. Not even to fuck off. I thought we were going to work through it.” I sighed. “But all we do is fight, so I don’t know. Maybe I should just leave it.”

    Laker punched me, “No. You won’t. You will make him tell you to it’s over Nox. He can’t leave you hanging like that. Not only is it rude he should know better.”

    “Yeah he should know better. Like he should know my anxiety isn’t personal. But that doesn’t change anything,” I growled at him.

    “Nox. Come on man, just go talk to him. It’ll do you good to know it’s over if it’s over.”

    I sighed. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

    Rider came back and dropped my phone in my pocket. “You don’t have time to waste, Nox. You’ve a flight in an hour.”

    “What?”

    Rider smiled. “Go or Sage’s work will be for naught.”

    I sighed and my brother pulled the chair out from behind me. “Fine.” I sighed. “Tell them to put it on my tab.”

  • Meeting the Boyfriend

    Meeting the Boyfriend

    Laker called his friend and until the boys decided one way or the other that’s how he’d remain in my eyes. I found it comforting and a little scary that my little brother was seeing boys as potential love interests, while the other was firmly into girls. Was I a bad influence?

    Kyle met us down stairs as we left to go into Little Italy. He was about as tall as my brother but he was thinner and wore glasses. His red hair and freckles made me think of Ron Howard back in the day. Laker was wearing a leather jacket and I couldn’t help but laugh at the image in my head. The Fonz and Richie, how fucking epic. I snapped a picture and I’d show Sage later.

    I introduced myself, “I’m Nox” I offered him my hand.

    He flipped my hand to examine the black nail polish. “Why don’t you match them?” Kyle nodded to my head.

    “I don’t have the color nail polish so it’s easier just to stick with black.”

    “My mom won’t let me do any of that” e said.

    I asked, “Why?”

    “She doesn’t want me to look like a girl” Kyle groaned out.

    “I look like a girl?” I grinned at him.

    “No. But she doesn’t think about it like that.”

    “She’s just looking out for you. I got a beat down or two as a kid growing up. Kissed a boy and he kicked the shit out of me. I got a few for wearing eye liner and nail polish. Though no one has ever accused me of looking like a girl.”

    “I should let you talk to my mom.”

    I laughed. “I don’t think you mom would like talking to me. I’m everything she doesn’t want you to be.”

    Kyle laughed too. “Yeah, but you are put together, have a job, you make money to live in this place. Put you in a suit and I guantee my mom will listen to you even with the eye liner and nail polish and the dyed tips.”

    I shrugged, “Maybe, if you want me to. You should see Dorian.”

    Laker agreed as he took Kyle’s hand and pulled him towards the subway station. “Dorian is all business, but you’d never know he was gay until you got a glimpse of him with his husband.”

    Laker and Kyle talked in whispers together. Rider and I tried to ignore them by standing instead of sitting across from them. Rider bumped my hip and I turned to look behind me and saw my little brother kissing his first boy. I smirked and nodded my head in the direction of the front of the car. Rider just chuckled. “You think I should tell them to get a room?”

    I shook my head. “It’s just a kiss.”

    Rider laughed, “Like you and Alex have just a kiss.”

    “Did your dad have the whole birds and bees talk with you?” I asked Rider.

    “No but we’ve had health class. Abstinence is the best policy and if you are going to have sex always protect yourself.”

    I nodded. “This goes for you too, but my bed side table always has condoms.”

    Rider laughed, “I know and lube and toys and…” He smirked, “I took a few the other night when we went out.”

    “I’d prefer it if you bring your your girls back to the house and not some sleazy motel or something,” I told Rider.

    He didn’t blush. “I’ll keep that in mind. Though I think Laker might have issues with that.”

    “Laker can bring his boys home.”

    Rider grinned up at me, “He’s happier here with you. I think Dad pushes the girlfriend thing a little too much for him. It’s not that he’d hate Lake or anything but I think he’s afraid Dad will hate you for it.”

    “I don’t blame him. My dad blames Dorian 80% of the time. He’s just now starting to understand that I was thinking about boys long before I even knew Dorian liked men.”

    “Yeah, but Kai’s looking for excuses to make you not his son. Or that’s how I take it. He doesn’t want to be the dad of the guy who’s different. Cause it means that there is a lot to say about nurture versus nature.”

    “You’ve talked with my dad?” I asked Rider.

    He nodded. “I talk with everyone about you. Sometimes I feel like the older brother and then there are times I feel like I need my big brother, and you can’t be my big brother if you are falling apart. So yeah I talk to Margo and Dorian and you dad. I’d talk with Alex if I could.”

    I sighed. “He’s not talking to anyone these days.”

    Rider wrapped his arm around me as the train came to a stop. “I know man. Sage will find him then you can go give him an ear full.”

  • The First Few Days

    The First Few Days

    Vacations were supposed to be for destressing. Not for me. Rider and Laker tried to get me to take them to the beach. Mia happily took them for me. I couldn’t deal with the sand right now. I was a mess. A pile of fucking nerves because Alex’s doorman, Joe hadn’t seen Alex since the night I walked out on him. I’d been by the apartment – both of them – everyday for since then and he hadn’t seen him.

    Joe was nice enough to take my number said he’d text me if he saw Alex. But I hadn’t gotten anything from him either. Alex neither. I was getting concerned. And that was making me dream of Alex and dreaming of Alex meant that I had more nightmares. The blue eyed demon came before the red and I got a double dose of pain and bleeding and just plain agony. It was Monday morning and I knew it was early – too early for Sage to be up but I didn’t give a fuck at this point as I dialed his number by heart.

    It rang four times then went to voice mail and I hung up and dialed again. On the third ring Sage answered, “This better be important.”

    “It is to me” I said, there was a hitch in my voice and I heard Sage sit up. “What’s wrong, Nox?”

    “I need you to track Alex’s number.”

    Sage sighed, “Nox he’s gone. Why do you want me to do that?”

    “Sage will you do it or not? Or do I need to go let Trix do it?” It was a threat I could use now. My best friend wouldn’t do it for me, then I’d just seek out one of the two other hackers I already knew.

    He sighed. “No, I’ll do it. I’ll call you when I have a location.”

    “Thank you.” But Sage was already gone. I sighed and flopped back on my bed. I should go downstairs to the gym. Or maybe I should go to the beach with my brothers. I could go take them to play paintball. I could have Dorian bring Drake over. No – I forgot he’s with Reginald and the other dragons doing dragon things. Whatever the fuck that was.

    I pulled myself up off my bed and paced. Ophelia meowed at me, “What?”

    She threw her tail up and then curled up and ignored me. “Yeah yeah yeah. I know I’m a mess. You’d be a mess too.” I could see her tail twitch and then she put her head down on her paws and ignored me more. “Stupid cat.” Though I said it lovingly. I reached down and rubbed her head and then left her alone. She’d scratch me just the same.

    It was mid morning which meant I’d been up for 6 hours already. My brothers were playing video games and I sat I flopped down in their laps and then grunted but didn’t say anything more as they raced around whatever track they were playing. I glanced at the screen and saw no race cars, they were playing some shoot em up game. Each on their own TV screen. I wasn’t sure where I got a second one, but there was no telling what Dorian and/or Kai bought my brothers.

    Kai treated Laker and Rider like grandkids. I don’t know why, but he adored them almost as much as his other grand kids. I was happy that he did, but I wondered why. Maybe it was all the lost time.

    “You want to go out to eat tonight?” Laker asked. “Marco said he’d save us all a table if we could convince you to come out with us?”

    “Can we do lunch? I might be busy later tonight.”

    Rider chuckled, “Did Sage agree?”

    “He did. But not lightly.”

    “You’ll owe him big.” Laker laughed.

    “I’m okay with that. I just need to find him. I just hope he’s not lying dead in a ditch somewhere.” I sighed.

    Rider patted my shoulder, “He’s alright. I’m sure he’s just busy.”

    “I mean who wouldn’t love to be with you. You cook, you clean, I’m sure you are a good fuck.”

    I looked back at my brother, “Do you often wonder about how good I am in bed?”

    Laker blushed, “No. But you had Michaela and Alex and I’m sure you’ve had a lot others too.”

    “You think a lot about my sex life.”

    Laker hung his head. “No. I just…”

    “You just what?”

    “How’d ya know?”

    “How’d I know what?”

    Rider chipped in, “That you liked boys. Laker’s got a friend…” He grinned at his brother.

    “Is he gay?” I asked.

    Laker shrugged. “I don’t know.”

    Rider giggled. “He’s into Laker, Lake isn’t sure he wants to be into him or not.”

    I sat up and squished between my brothers and leaned against Laker. “Look, man. You don’t have to decide now. Take it slow, if you like him, ask him out. Worst he can say is no, and if he lays a finger on you for asking I want to know.”

    Laker shook his head, “He’d never hurt me.”

    “Good.” I smiled at him. “Bring him over for dinner one day. I’ll cook, we’ll all have fun. And you can see where it goes, in a safe environment. And I have plenty of condoms if you need them.” The latter part of my words made my brother blush bright red.

    “Dad would never entertain this idea.”

    “Do you think he’ll be upset?”

    “No.” They both said at the same time. But it was Laker who continued, “Dad, just wants us to be happy but he wants grandkids too.”

    “There are always ways for that boys.” I grabbed Laker’s controller. “Go invite him for lunch at Marco’s.”

  • The Children of Morpheus

    The Children of Morpheus

    AJ’s playing a little with things with the third installment of the arc. It’s a pretty big book in terms of me. But as AJ stalls at work today for today is a Christmas party. And she had a thought while in the car she just remembered to look up.

    With a little more reading up on who the Greek God Morpheus is and my beloved Alex. And what he is. AJ’s got this notion that Alex is something important too – not so much a counter to me, but powerful in his own right. Leading me, Alex and Ant to be some sort of triumvirate of power to fight off some unknown evil.

    But in this research I think Morpheus’ brother Phobetor is going to end up being my demon in the story. It fits better, if you read the excerpts on them at listverse. But the Children of Phobetor doesn’t sound as good.

    So a new name is needed.

    • The Children of Nightmares
    • The Nightmare’s Children

    I think I like the second one better. We are open to suggestions. But AJ wants me to remind you that all the titles are revolving around an evolution of sorts.

    The Last Phoenix – a cycle of life and rebirth
    Darywnn’s Law – the basis for survival of the fittest and evolution
    The Children of Morpheus – children
    The First Vestige – The first sign of ruin (a first and last – cycle)
    The Evolution of Power – evolution is in the title.

    Thus the Ascendant Arc (a rise to power or the evolution of a man)

  • Yay prompted

    Yay prompted

    AJ got the daily spur back up and running this morning.

    However she is totally wiped now so I’m not gonna get much more active time. At least not when it comes to writing. She head a lot to do when she gets home.

    So I’ll be on the way side tho AJ does have some cooking in the future so I’ll be happy. And it calls for bacon!!!

  • No Prompts today

    No Prompts today

    OOPs AJ killed the server daily prompts was on so she has to set that back up and has to redo the words list. Which means AJ needs to find a good list. Word lists are difficult so you don’t get crap words.

    Any suggestions?

  • Heart Throb

    Heart Throb

    Just the title of the song prompted me to think of Alex.

    But OMG the lyrics are horrid. So not anything I expected. And I’m going to be frank (hi frank :P) I haven’t listened to the song, or the snipett. After reading the lyrics I’m like no…

    So if someone likes the song, or knows what the fuck it means I’d be all ears. But I’m not going to torture myself with it.

    I was all for the sappy songs. I like being sappy but only for Alex.

  • Alone Time

    Alone Time

    I half expected Mia to be the one to walk into my room, but it was Alex. He was frowning, “Sorry Pretty boy.”

    I flopped on the bed and pulled the mask over my face so he couldn’t see my expression or the tears of my fucking break down in front of everyone.

    Alex sat down next to me and then laid down next to me, the warmth of his side pressed against mine. It wasn’t long before I was resting my head on his shoulder and laying on my side pressed against him. “Today was too much for you wasn’t it.”

    “I’m sorry.” I said simply. I hadn’t meant to have a break down on his birthday.

    Alex continued as if I hadn’t apologized. “I shouldn’t have let you come home alone.”

    “I’m fine Alex.”

    He laughed tugging the mask over my head, “This is fine.” He said wiping the tears from under my eyes.

    “I’m better now. I just need you.”

    Alex smiled and tilted my head so he could kiss me tenderly. “Which is why I shouldn’t have let you go home alone.”

    “It’s not your fault Alex. I planned the day.”

    “You did, but you didn’t expect the emotional impact of our day together, or the assumption that you are a fucking scary person.” Alex smirked, “I know it’s hard to believe when you feel this overwhelmed so much of the time Nox. But that’s why when you get pissed off, it’s so scary. I never want to see it aimed at me. Never.”

    “I could never be angry at you and not still love you.”

    Alex laughed, “Pretty boy, your anger at me and your family leads you to tears. Anyone else best beware though because I’ve seen the fury of Preator Mors.”

    I rolled my eyes. “I’m still sorry. I hate this.” I said rolling back up to sit. Alex followed me.

    “I know.” Alex pulled me up towards the headboard and pulled me against him so we were laying properly on our bed. I curled against him and just took in everything. I loved him. He loved me. My family and friends were out there having a good time and we were collapsed in the bed. I was so broken.

    “Shhhh.” Alex said. “Stop thinking like that.” His fingers ran through my hair. “Everyone out there understands.”

    “Do they really?” I asked.

    “Of course they do, Nox. Except maybe dickhead.”

    I snorted at Alex’s nickname for Jace. He really didn’t like him, and I really didn’t blame him. He caused us a great deal of heart ache. “I’m sorry I’m…” Alex didn’t let me finish as he pulled my hair back so that I groaned as he planted a kiss on my lips hard and thorough. My body ached for him. Alex could easily turn my moods. He knew what triggered me in every sense of all words. He could send me spiralling with a simple phrase or have me rock hard in an instant.

    He was a master manipulator, but I didn’t mind it most of the time. And I was grateful for the distraction. I pulled my shields tightly around us. It had been a trial to learn not to shut Alex out while still shutting out the world so it was just him who could hear my internal litany of arousal and curses as Alex teased me.

    It wasn’t long before Alex was pausing in his distraction to run his fingers over the fully healed tattoo I’d gotten yesterday. In my lust covered eyes I had forgotten that it wasn’t supposed to happen now.

    Alex pressed a kiss to the never dying mark on my skin now. It was a rainbow colored tongue with the same treatment to a dripping script that says mine. Alex laughed, “Is that supposed to be me?”

    I chuckled, “No, symbolic of you licking me.”

    He leaned on an elbow looking down at me from above out lust filled moment gone again as Alex asked, “Who got to see it?” He was jealous. I knew he would be.

    I bit my bottom lip, “Just Ash. She’s done all my tattoos.”

    Alex reached up and ran his fingers down my right temple, “Even this one.”

    I nodded. “Yes. I figured she was safest. She isn’t interested in me, and I’m not interested in her.”

    “This is the she-man who recently made it official?” Alex asked cautiously.

    I nodded. “Yes. She is a she officially now.”

    There was a visible relaxing of Alex’s muscles as he pressed a kiss to my lips. “I can live with that. No one else has seen it?”

    I shook my head, “Just you. No one will see it unless they walk in on me naked.”

    Alex grinned, “And I don’t plan on that ever happening.”

    “Me either. It’s all for you Alex. A mark that won’t fade or heal. I’m your’s always.”

    Alex pressed a kiss to me hard and fast and the lust resumed until there was a knock at the door. A small voice came from the other side, “Uncle Nox, come play with us.”

    Alex sighed, “All these women wanting my man, I fucking swear.” He groaned into my ear as he climbed over the top of me while I righted myself and he answered the door. “He’ll be right out, Naya.” He lifted her up and carried her back through the room. Alex might not like her dad but everyone loved Naya.

    I took a deep breath and I joined the birthday party/Halloween party we were throwing in my apartment. A first for many of us.

  • Seeing Triple

    Seeing Triple

    I heard the door open while I sat there with Fae. I sighed, “We should join the others, sounds like the party is starting.” Fae groaned and I wanted to echo his sentiment. I’d have preferred to spend the day alone with Alex, but the boys wanted the party and there was no reason not to have it.

    I heard Alex talking to Matt and Laker in the living room. Rather I heard Laker say, “He’s going to hate it.”

    “I’m going to hate what?” I asked as I walked out of the boys room. Alex didn’t look like he was in costume at all.

    He turned around and blinked and then frowned. But it was gone as quickly as it had shown up, “I need a favor.” He said to me. His bright blue eyes lined in thick eye liner, he wore a make up drawn beard and his hair was damp but pushed back like I kept mine.

    I arched an eyebrow waiting for his request which soon followed, “Can you change the tips of my hair blue?”

    “I’m the scariest thing you can think of?” I asked bluntly as I ran my fingers through his hair and changed the tips to a bright blue. I wasn’t sure I liked the fact that my boyfriend thought I was scary.

    Alex frowned, “Pretty boy…” But he didn’t say I was foolish, he knew I had a right to feel what I felt. And so did he.

    “Nox, you know fucking well you are scary as shit. Il Cane is afraid of you, most people in this city fear you.”

    I shrugged, “But I shouldn’t scare you.” I said stepping away and turning to walk to the kitchen to at least hide some of what I was feeling in that moment.

    Alex let me, but he followed behind me closely. Rider quickly vacated the small room off the living room he’d been cooking in. I took up position stirring whatever he had on the burner.

    “Nox.” Alex said as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his cheek against the back of my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

    I shrugged and kept stirring. We stayed like that for several more minutes before I found my voice. “Are you borrowing my clothes?” I asked.

    I felt Alex smirk against my shoulder. “Yes. Well all but the jeans. I can’t wear yours. Fucking skinny body.” He chuckled as he said it.

    “I’m not mad, Alex.” I said plainly.

    He sighed behind me, “I know. I can hear the thoughts tumbling in your head. But I need you to know I’m not afraid of you. Coming as a snake or a bee didn’t seem appropriate.”

    I rolled my eyes and moved away from the stove and pulled the mask over my head, “Matt’s a mouse, you’d have been cutesy with him.” I said.

    Which earned me a rolling pair of ice blue eyes. “You are scary, Nox. I never want to be on your bad side.”

    “So you decided to dress like me? Make fun of me in that light?” I asked.

    “I would never make fun of anything that bothered you. And I’m not.” His voice dropped, “Am I?”

    I shook my head, “As long as you don’t start acting out my phobias or things like that I’m okay with you dressing like me.”

    Alex grinned. “I’m sorry I chose my costume without your knowledge.” Alex pressed me up against the wall and kissed me.

    I heard the door open and squealing kids, Mia and Jason were here. And from the sounds of it so was Sage. And from the other end of the house I heard Ant stepping into the room. “Everyone is getting here, you still have a present to unwrap later.” I whispered against Alex’s lips and pushed him away so I could step away but I grabbed his hand and dragged him after me.

    As everyone gathered in my living room I saw a theme – I growled, “I am not that fucking scary.” And I was lost to the power of my own emotions. I tried not to storm out but I know I did. I left my friends and family staring after me.

    Ant and Sage were looking at Alex and each other and wondering if maybe they should have talked first. Fucking friends I had…

    I heard Alex say, “I’ll talk to him.” As I slammed the door shut.

  • Special Non-Canon Snippet

    Special Non-Canon Snippet

    Since I’ve been crappy at actually remembering to post. I figured I’d give you something special.

    This is not canon. I don’t even know where it goes in relation to anything. But it’s me and Alex and sweet and sappy!

    I hadn’t spent many nights at Alex’s. He’d not spent any at mine, always leaving in the middle of the night. Normally I would have too except for the first time in forever I hadn’t had a nightmare that woke me up sweating and thrashing in my covers. I didn’t even feel the pang of fear when my eyes opened naturally. There still was no sun, my heart was racing because I felt like I was late. It wasn’t even 6 in the morning.

    I rolled on to my side and looked at Alex. Watched him sleep, the rise and fall of his chest, the faces he made in his sleep were amusing. He was peaceful in his sleep. I enjoyed the quiet and I enjoyed looking at him. I enjoyed a whole lot more with him too, but this was the first time I’d gotten to look at my lover. His disheveled hair, the rise and fall of his lips. My own thoughts carrying me off into arousal.

    I should get up and do yoga, but I had a completely different form of exercise in mind. I grinned as I moved closer to Alex and he groaned a little as I shifted him with my weight on the mattress. My fingers trailed down his side and over his boxers. I was grateful he had taken no offense to getting dressed after sex and cuddling more. I really did love touching Alex. It wasn’t even about sex, just holding his hand made him happy. Teasing him though that was something else. And right now Alex was asleep.

    I whispered in Alex’s ear that was closest to him. “Alllexxx” Alex smelled so good. It wasn’t the cologne he wore, though I liked that too. No this was all Alex mixed with sex from the night before. It was almost intoxicating. I blew gently into Alex’s ear which earned me a fluttered response of his hand.

    I grinned before I pressed my lips to Alex’s. Alex response was almost immediate. His hand snaked into my hair and he pulled me closer . He took my breathe away with a simple kiss.

    He wrapped me up against his body, “Go back to sleep.”

    I chuckled softly, “I’m awake. And now I can’t go anywhere.”

    Alex groaned and let me go. I pouted. “I didn’t say I wanted you to let me go.”

    Alex opened his eyes and those gorgeous blue orbs stared back at me. “Make up your mind?”

    I grinned at him. “I want you to wake up and play with me.”

    “It’s too early.” Alex complained.

    “I can make it worth your time.” I rolled Alex on to his back and laid on top of him. “Or I can lay here like this.”

    Alex wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him, “Sleep first, more later.”

    I nodded. “Later.”

  • Well crap, My bad

    Well crap, My bad

    Totally forgot to post yesterday. AJ was in a brain fog most of the day. Hopefully today is better.

    It’s almost the end of the week. Not that the weekend will be restful. Though there isn’t much to do on their new house until they get the electrician in.

    I think I need to do something different today. But I can’t think what. AJ’s writing time is limited and she’s pushing on Darwynn’s Law. Even though I have other ideas. I think that’s partially why she’s in a fog lol.

  • A pretty mix

    A pretty mix

    Anxiety and
    depression are not very fun.
    Relax and breathe!

  • As Promised

    As Promised

    This weekend AJ finished painting the girls rooms. The eldest is happier with the color of her room it’s not quite so blue anymore without the painters tape on it.

    The little one’s game room is pretty cool looking.

    Here is a pic.

    20181209_104017.jpg

    It’s not perfect, but she loved it. The coloring order was decided by the girls, but AJ finished the painting. Not too bad!

    Alex’s birthday will finish next weekend. So you have to wait till Sat & Sun for the last two installments.

  • Impromptu Therapy

    Impromptu Therapy

    Drake was having a fit because he was afraid to be the thunder cloud he was so afraid of. He was curled up under his blankets his costume strung across the room as far from him as possible. I picked it up and moved the blanket from the boys head and sat down. He looked up at me and squawked before he giggled and wrapped his arms around me tightly. I held him close and smiled. “If I can be what scares me most, so can you.” I said into his little ear in a quiet whisper.

    He sighed and nodded his head and sat down in my lap. It really was that simple – knowing we could do anything together. It was the one thing I made sure all the boys knew. Knew that I was there no matter what they went through. I hadn’t had that in my life. I intended these boys to have everything I didn’t. I wasn’t biologically their father, but neither was Dorian and he was the closest thing I had to one growing up. He screwed up too, as I know I will – all part of being a parent I’m told.

    When I pulled Drake out of his bedroom in full thunder cloud costume Matt and Laker were curled up on the couch and Fae wasn’t in sight. I sent the little Dragon to Matt and he pounced on the boys interrupting their cuddling. But they immediately included him in it. One big happy family. All pack, I thought to myself. And I headed into the teenager bungalo. It was a lot bigger than what you’d expect. I’d figured out how to make their bedroom fit four twin size beds in the same space. Thanks to magic. The rune stone hung on their door and I opened it to find Fae curled up in a corner rocking back and forth. Of all the boys, I identified with Fae the most. He was a homeless kid, he’d been abused by his former pack. He was me if I’d been a werewolf. He was born into a family – a pack, but when his parents died no one took care of him. The Las Vegas pack were a bunch of dicks and the CCB didn’t do charity work often and certainly not for unwanted pack members.

    But Fae was Omega straight out. Adrian couldn’t protect him in a pack, and Fae refused to join Dom. Though I didn’t blame him, Dom was too dominating and Fae needed something a little softer so here the boy stayed with me.

    I sat down next to the rocking werewolf with my back against the wall and my knees pulled up to my chest. And I started talking, “I’m gonna blow it with Alex.” It was like therapy, I just said whatever I felt. “I’m going to scare him the fuck away cause I’m needy. Nothing has ever scared me more.”

    Faelen leaned against me and stopped rocking, “Even more than this.” His fingers plucked at the sleeve of my costume.

    “Even more than that. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” Fae laughed, “The same thing you do every time it gets hard, you adapt.”

    “What if I can’t?” I asked a little too whiney for my taste.

    “You will. I will.” I looked over at the werewolf. “There is too many people coming.”

    “I know. But you and me, we can do this right? I’ll be here the whole time. And you can escape to my room if it all gets too much.” I reassured the werewolf as I put my arm around his neck and pulled him tight against me.

    “Nox?” Fae asked.

    “Yeah?”

    “I’m afraid of everything, can’t I just be me?”

    I grinned, “Are you afraid of you?”

    He nodded, “I’m afraid of myself all the time. I’m a werewolf.”

    “Fae, you are fine. You don’t have to dress up if it makes you uncomfortable.”

    He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. And we sat there on the floor in his room just gathering our courage, our strength and the will to get through the next few minutes.

  • Scariest Costumes

    Scariest Costumes

    Upstairs in my apartment my brothers, and the other boys – so many children, though I was only a few years older than most of them – only Drake was actually a child really. Laker, Rider, Matt and Faelen were all sixteen years old, months apart. Which meant I was the guardian to boys 7 years my junior – four of them. Granted two of them were my brothers, but still I was responsible for 4 teenagers when I barely responsible for myself. Thank god for Alex, and Ant and Ryan, my father, and Dorian. And everyone else who helped me understand how to be a parent to teenagers.

    Laker opened the door for me when I started punching in the key code to enter. He grinned at me with bright eyes that reminded me of my mother, “I thought I heard someone outside.”

    Laker was wearing a black cape and white make up and was pretending to be an old school movie vampire. I arched an eyebrow at him and he laughed, “Hey it was scary before I met real vampires. I’m going to cheesy scary.”

    “I think you will offend Ant.”

    Laker grinned. “As long as he doesn’t eat me for it.”

    I smiled and wrapped my arm around my brother’s neck careful not to smudge his makeup, “He doesn’t feed on men as a general rule.”

    “Good to know,” he said as he pulled out of my embraced and fell into Matt’s arms who was leaning against a wall wearing a mouse costume.

    I tried. I really did try not to laugh but the smile crept up and I snorted at the thought Matt was afraid of mice. He gave me a dirty look and then turned his attentions on the boy in his arms. Their little romance bothered my father. He asked me how I could let them be like that when they were practically brothers. Which was as far from the truth as anything. Matt was Venatori, Laker was human. There was no harm in their romance. And I’d rather I was aware of their sexual activity than not. Rider mentioned something a bout how Dad would never have let them have sex at home.

    I disagreed with my father and my step father apparently. I wanted them in my house verse on the streets somewhere. At least here was safe and clean and there were condoms available – always on hand.

    Rider was in the kitchen making whatever he did. He was dressed like a movie werewolf – fuzzy mask and all. His furry rubber gloves were laid on the back of a chair. “Can you even see out that?” I asked him.

    He turned and snorted, “Barely. Drake is in his bedroom trying to be a rain cloud. Fae won’t come out of his room either. It’s almost party time and you aren’t even ready. And where is Alex?”

    I sighed. “Alex is getting ready. Text him if you need him to hurry up. What do you need me to do first?”

    Rider looked at me through the rubber mask eye holes and I could see the wheels turning. “Get your costume on and then help Drake. I’ll send Matt after Fae. He listens to Matt most of the time.”

    Rider was part of the reason why I was coping so well with so many changes all at once. I got all five boys at the exact same time. We’d come back from Vegas and wham Jesse had passed away, Drake came to live with and Matt and Faelen were staying with me on a provisional basis. Matt with the Venatori and Fae well because he refused to join the pack – either of them.

    Rider and Laker had their own issues but they were part of the reason I managed so well – and Alex. Alex was the main reason I coped. He thought I’d leave and he always would, but he was my sanity. I loved him, I needed him but more than anything else I wanted him in my life. I wanted to share everything with him.

    My scary costume was hanging up in the closet. It was simply a black robe, with a black see through mask and glowing red eyes. There was nothing scarier for me. I had toyed with the idea of making colored tentacles out of pool noodles but that might send me into a massive panic attack and I didn’t want to do that to myself on Alex’s birthday.

    I couldn’t wait to see what everyone else was. But first I had to deal with Drake – the little rain cloud who refused to put his costume on.

  • Fandom

    Fandom

    Okay today’s prompts are boring.

    But yesterday/last night sometime in the past 24 hours anyway two very important things to AJ release trailers.

    Dragon Age 4 The Dread Wolf Rises trailer! So AJ isn’t one of those people who typically fans over games. Except this one. There are several games in which AJ has played a billion times. Baulder’s Gate franchise being number one on her list, Never Winter Nights, and Dragon Age franchise. Now 2 she didn’t play, but Origins played a ton and Inquisition has logged over 500 hours of play time and I expect there will be several more hours of Dragon Age with the news of the new game. Maybe even a full play through? I think that boredom is in my future. Maybe me and Alex will make an appearance in a character rendition or name. Could be fun.

    AND

    Avengers – Endgame. The last of the current lead up for one of her all time favorite movie franchise. AJ is sad for the end of Avengers cause that means no more Tony Stark and AJ loves Iron Man. Actually it’s not even Iron Man, it’s the computer he has. The technology he creates that loves. And Robert Downey Junior is pretty cute too.

    So enjoy the teasers. AJ sure did. And Thankfully I didn’t have to endure endless loops of it like I do with music.

The Mind of Nox

escaping into reality

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